Thank you ladies. Your words are encouraging! Those first 96 hours were rough!! Things have improved significantly. The air pocket resolved and he is off all interventions besides the feeding tube. My milk came in and pumping is going well.

Really to go home we are only waiting on him learning to eat, which I gather can take a while (he is at 20-50% by mouth right now).

Thank you ladies. Your words are encouraging! Those first 96 hours were rough!! Things have improved significantly. The air pocket resolved and he is off all interventions besides the feeding tube. My milk came in and pumping is going well.

Really to go home we are only waiting on him learning to eat, which I gather can take a while (he is at 20-50% by mouth right now).

We are feeling very lucky he is doing so well!

That is so great your milk came in and your baby is doing well!
Hugs mama

He had a 17 day stay. I would have to look at my notes for an exact day, but roughly half of that was spent with breathing support. The other half was learning to eat (which is a milestone they learn in the womb around 35 weeks). He was very, very sleepy and had trouble staying awake for feedings (bottles and nursing) but would also get too tired to coordinate the suck, swallow, breathe.

Lots of to you mama! If you have any questions ask away! It was very supporting to here from other nicu/preemie moms.

Thank you Thats helpful. Ive had 4 other premies but only 1 needed cpap, and not as much as she does so even though Ive experienced some premie issues each time can be so different. I think her being a cesarean added to the breathing problems, unfortunately.

It's tough having little ones in the nicu but it will all be worth it. When my twins were in a level 1 nursery they really didn't want us to interact too much but as they got better and were moved to a level 2 nursery we were able to interact as much as we wanted, holding, feeding, diaper changes, etc... so just hang on, it WILL get better!

Just know it will get better. And I second the advice about looking into meds for your supply if you want to breastfeed. Being separated will make it very hard. That and pump as often as possible, I recommend the Pumpin Pals shields.